Rural communities play a lead role in innovating new economic benefits through agriculture and agri-tourism. Current government policies assist farmers with environmental planning and land management practices. The promotion of agri-tourism through farm markets, farm-to-table food policy and other agriculture related areas stand to support increased economic activity for rural areas.
There are many programs and areas of emphasis included under the agriculture umbrella. Much of the Michigan Rural Council’s membership is involved in agriculture in various ways. Therefore, MRC acts in multiple ways related to each individual issue area. Some of those areas are as follows:
- Support the development of legislation that would define rules of operation and provide additional support for the development of a strong agri-tourism industry especially for value-added products;
- Support rural communities that wish to participate in the “America’s Great Outdoors Initiative” and advocates for increased funding for technical assistance and/or grants that assist those communities in protecting and restoring natural resources on both public and private lands;
- Participate in conversations related to the “Farm Bill” 2012 reauthorizations. This legislative package is up for re-authorization by the U.S. Congress in 2012 and encompasses many programs important to rural communities;
- Enable and support the addition of small-scale meat processing operations to help small and medium livestock producers who are interested in serving specialized markets, such as grass-fed beef, free-range poultry, etc.;
- Assist in the creation of a “Grown In Michigan” labeling program for Michigan agriculture products;
- Support a “Farm-to-Institution” program that would get more Michigan-grown products into schools, hospitals, prisons and other institutions; and
- Support the implementation of the Michigan Good Food Charter.
Email
Facebook
Twitter
